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State income taxes were increased in 2011 to make up for budgeting shortfalls. Though a vote to make these increases permanent is in the works, Republican candidate for Governor, Bruce Rauner, wants to delay the lawmakers’ decision until after the election. If he wins the election, Rauner states he wants to block these increases from being made permanent. However, current Governor Pat Quinn argues that the increase tax revenue is necessary for state services such as schools, healthcare, public … [Read more...]

There are a number of ways that those charged with driving under the influence can defend themselves in court. This article lists a few of them including affirmative defenses such as necessity, duress, entrapment, mistake of fact and involuntary intoxication. It also expands on commonly used defenses such as improper stop, inaccuracy of field sobriety tests, inaccuracy of breathalyzer test, chain of custody with blood tests and rising blood alcohol concentrations. A DUI charge can have serious … [Read more...]

Buying a house on contract is a great option for deal-seekers those who may have trouble getting approved for a mortgage. There are several things that you need to look out for, however.  There may be liens on the property, problems with the title or even an unmanageable balloon payment in your future. When you work with a qualified real estate attorney, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that can turn your dream of owning a home into a nightmare. Before you purchase any real estate on contract, … [Read more...]

Mortgage rates have remained historically low for a while now; the average mortgage rate last week was only 4.28 percent. But consumers should expect to see a rise in rates in the coming year. Economists predict that by the middle of 2015, mortgage rates will average about 5 percent. While this may not seem like a significant difference, it can greatly increase the monthly cost for a home, particularly in parts of the country where housing prices are very high. If you plan to buy or sell a house … [Read more...]

A bankruptcy trustee in New York State has allegedly engaged in aggressive questioning of a debtor’s English-speaking skills. According to the complainant’s lawyer, William Ward Saxton, bankruptcy trustee John S. Pereia questioned how a debtor was able to pass her citizenship exam if she did not understand basic English and he moved to adjourn the case. Saxton maintains that this action violated his client’s civil rights. The U.S. Trustee Program, a bankruptcy watchdog organization, is currently … [Read more...]

  Beginning October 1, creditors will have tougher rules for filing lawsuits against debtors in New York State.  The NY State court system enacted new rules aimed at forcing creditors, especially those that buy old credit card debt and file massive numbers of lawsuits, to provide accurate information to prove that the debt has not expired and to prove that the correct defendant is being named.  According to Judge Lippman, “the judiciary has an obligation to prevent inequitable debt … [Read more...]

The positive effect of the improving housing market is that it is driving home values back up.  This means that many homeowners may have much more equity in their home than they did a couple of years ago.  This equity is a potential fund for making home repairs or consolidating debt.  However, what are the good and bad reasons for dipping into your home equity? For the answer read, “The Best (and Worst) Reasons to Tap Your Home Equity.” Image credit:   American Advisors Group … [Read more...]

The widow of Chris Kyle, better known as American Sniper because of his bestselling 2012 autobiography, is suing the company he co-founded for the illegal use of his name and likeness.  Tara Kyle is suing Craft International LLC for an undisclosed amount of money for the “unauthorized use” of her husband’s name and image.  The company, which filed bankruptcy, has not responded to the lawsuit at this time. For more read the full details at, “American Sniper’s Widow Sues Bankrupt Training … [Read more...]

For some individuals, renting is much less expensive than buying a home.  However, if you have never rented a home before, you may be surprised at some of the fees and costs that renters may incur.  If you are not prepared for these costs, paying them may cause a temporary financial problem with your monthly budget.  In order to ensure you are prepared financially read, “6 Renting Costs That May Surprise You.” Image Credit:  Bart Everson … [Read more...]

Are you building a home, making home repairs or buying a fixer-upper?  If so, you may be dealing with a contractor.  You do not need to search for long to find horror stories relating how homeowners were burned by bad contractors.  Most contractors are good; however, if you find yourself dealing with a difficult contractor, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself and your rights. For tips on how to deal with contractors read, “How to Deal With a Bad Contractor.” Image … [Read more...]